Change, made and recommended. That’s theme of this year-ender.

Major League Baseball: This was numero uno since riding the bike around the lake to watch the World Series during grade school lunch in 1950s. Me: “I’m late getting back, Sister, but Don Larsen is pitching a perfect game.”

There was some optimism at this time a year ago, with the positive effects of the pitch clock. Then, in 2024, they managed to start slowing the game down again, starting pitching continued to be de-emphasized — and the ball remained way too rarely in play.

When I’m home and a game is on TV, rather than glued to it, I’m checking in and out. That’s a bad sign.

NFL: Always been an in-and-out watcher. Super Bowl: Don’t watch a minute of pregame; miss most of the halftime show.

More than anything, the officiating drives me bonkers. Refereeing has more influence on the outcome of a close game in the NFL than anywhere, I say.